Severe coronary artery disease after radiation therapy of the chest and mediastinum: clinical presentation and treatment

The purpose of this study was to define the clinical and angiographic features and the therapeutic problems in patients with coronary artery disease after therapeutic irradiation of the chest. It is concluded that coronary arterial disease can be reasonably ascribed to the effects of chest irradiation when the patients are young and free from risk factors, especially if the obstructions are ostial and there is important damage to other cardiac structures. In patients with damage to other cardiac structures, angina and infarction are often absent and coronary angiography seems to be mandatory. Patients often require surgical treatment and postoperative complications are common. (Author)